Environmental Impact |
North Central Texas has major issues in both the supply of and quality of fresh water and in the cleanliness of our air. These problems are deep, persistent and will be expensive and difficult to control while keeping our economy vibrant and absorbing the population and economic growth projected for this geographic area. |
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Clean and Abundant Water:
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Texas is in the midst of a drought. Lake water levels are down and some are at dangerously low levels. The Trinity Aquifer (which supplies water for North and Central Texas) is reported as being down more than any other aquifer in Texas. Rain is in short supply and current expectations are that these conditions will continue for the foreseeable future. |
There are a number of avenues to address this scarcity. However, developing new water supplies are extremely expensive and very long-term projects. With the expected continuation in population growth, we must develop alternative methods to stretch our current water supplies. This includes how we manage water for new developments, how we manage water for landscaping and how each of us can make changes in our personal lifestyles that can and will impact how much water we collectively use and have an impact on the availability of clean water for our communities. |
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The DFW Region has been out of compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act for a number of years. The American Lung Association study’s rank DFW as having the 8th dirtiest air in the United States. The largest children’s hospital in the country (located in Dallas) ranks respiratory issues as its highest cause of emergency room visits. Long time local residents remember when they could consistently see the skyscrapers of downtown Dallas from LBJ Freeway or downtown Fort Worth from Loop 820.
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Clearly, there has been deterioration in the quality of our air. And, it is not just happening in North Texas, it is happening all over Texas. Houston and Galveston are also considered in non-attainment of the federally mandated standards. Austin and San Antonio have been officially christened as near non-attainment areas. The problem is large, widespread and will only be complicated by the continued influx of people to Texas and resultant growth of our populations and the infrastructure required to meet their needs. |
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The causes of this pollution are widespread and difficult to contain. The solutions are equally widespread and require action by all segments of our economy and by each individual person to make an impact. Improvements in the thermal and energy performance of new and existing homes are crucial to reducing the carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions that will help control emissions at the power plant and provide continued hope of cleaner air in our communities. |
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It took 160 years (1840 to 2000) for our North Central Texas to go from a scarcely populated area to the home for 5 million people. That was rapid growth. However, demographers studying population trends indicate that the population in this area will almost double – to 9 million people – by the year 2030. |
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Think about it, in less than 30 years we will have almost twice as many people, twice as many vehicles, twice as many roads – homes - office buildings and retail stores. Clean air is already a major health issue and, despite significant long-term planning, the drought is stressing our current water supplies – not even to mention the impact of millions more people and many more homes and businesses. For example, our region has 1.5 million acre feet of available water, but by 2060 we will need 3.3 million acre feet to satisfy the demand of residents. Clean air, clean water and abundant water supplies will grow in importance as our region continues to grow. |
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The Role of Your Texas Energy Smart Homebuilder: |
Your Texas Energy Smart Homebuilder has already built a home that provides for the potential of a small footprint for your family and your home’s impact on the air and water resources of our community. By building a relatively tight, energy-efficient home, the builder has provided and opportunity for your family to have low utility bills. By providing water efficient fixtures, the builder has set the stage for low water usage and low water bills. |
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Clearly, the potential bills and the associated environmental impact are related to the size and the number of occupants in the home. However, what many people are unaware of is that lifestyle is a large determinant of water and electricity usage and the environmental footprint on our community. |
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The role of each person or lifestyle impacts on electrical, natural gas and water usage: |
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Lifestyle Impact on Electricity Usage: |
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Thermostat setting – Electrical usage is roughly half for thermostats set for 78 degrees as it is for thermostats set at 68 degrees. Lower your usage and your environmental impact by setting your thermostat at 78 degrees. |
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Plug load – Many appliances and electrical devices are secret energy stealers. They draw small amounts of power – even while off – and with the explosion in the number and type of devices in the modern home, unrealized energy usage can be very significant. |
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Appliance selection – When you purchase appliances for your home – observe the information on the Energy Guild for facts about energy usage. Purchase appliances that are more energy-efficient and, most likely, in the long run they will have significant pay back for the added cost of energy efficiency. A safe decision is to look for the Energy Star logo and purchase appliances that are certified as both energy-efficient but also have a high quality level. |
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Consider using Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL’s) as replacements when your regular incandescent light bulbs burn out. CFL’s are slightly more expensive than regular incandescent light bulbs but they last up to 7 times longer and use less energy in the process. |
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Lifestyle impacts on Water Usage: |
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Kitchen and Laundry Rooms: |
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Dishwasher: Use a dishwasher instead washing by hand in the sink. On average, washing by hand uses 15 to 26 gallons of water and a conventional dishwasher uses about 10 to 14. For additional savings, wait until the dishwasher is fully loaded prior to turning the machine on. |
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Laundry – The second largest user of water inside the home is the clothes washer, using 30 to 40 gallons of water per load. When it is necessary to replace your washing machine, consider a low-water use clothes washer. And always remember to wash only full loads. If you have a few items, use the smaller load setting on your washer. |
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Keep cool water available – in a jug of water in the refrigerator to avoid running the tap until the water runs cool. |
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Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month. |
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The Bathrooms: |
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Take a shower instead of a bath – generally a shower uses significantly less water. |
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Brushing teeth - turn water off while brushing your teeth. Many of us learned to brush our teeth, shave or clean the bathroom with the water running the entire time. |
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Take shorter showers - at 5 to 10 gallons a minute, a 10 minute shower can use as much as 100 gallons of water. Take shorter showers with a low-flow showerhead (one that dispenses less than 3 gallons per minute). You can have an invigorating shower with reduction in water pressure and still use half the water of a less efficient showerhead. |
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Flushing of commodes - check you toilet for leaks, and have them repaired promptly. Toilets frequently leak around the flush valve which can waste up to 20 gallons a day or more. To check the leaks, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank of your toilet. Do not flush the toilet for 10 to 15 minutes. If the bowl shows traces of food coloring, you have a leak. |
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Never pour grease or oil down a drain. - you will clog your drain or waste a great deal of water trying to get the grease down the drain. |
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Rinse dishes in a pan - don’t rinse under running water. |
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Drop that tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save gallons every time. |
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Saving Water Outside Your Home: |
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Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. |
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Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter. |
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Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water. |
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Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn. |
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Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst. |
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Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water. |
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Ensure that your pool filter pumps are adjusted to seasonal run-times allowing them to consume a significantly smaller amount of fewer energy usage. |
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Saving Water Inside and Out With Plants: |
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When you clean your fish tank, use the water you’ve drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer. |
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Water your plants deeply, but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes. Teach your family how to shut off your automotive water systems. Turn sprinklers off if the system is malfunctioning or when a storm is approaching. |
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Landscape with Xeriscape trees, plants and groundcovers. Call your local conservation office for more information about these water thrifty plants. Bermuda grasses are dormant (brown) in the winter and will only require water once every three to four weeks or less if it rains. |
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More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Be sure only to water plants when necessary. |
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Aerate your lawn. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface. |
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Grasses in our area need 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water every five days. By watering thoroughly, no more than every five days, you will help your grass develop deeper, more drought tolerant roots during the growing season. |
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If some areas appear dry after sprinkling, hand water those areas instead of increasing the watering time or turning on the sprinkler system again. |
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Don’t over-water: Did you know that over-watering can damage or even kill your trees or shrubs? Since trees and shrubs add value to your home and can cost quite a lot just to get them established it is very important to know when or how much to water. |
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Established plantings do well in the summer when watered about once a week, especially if mulch is placed around plants. |
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Use Indigenous plants for your extra landscaping –plants that occur naturally in the local environment will likely need less supplemental moisture most years than non-native species. These species have evolved under the local conditions and usually have well-developed mechanism for surviving extremes in the weather. |
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